time and distance...

So it has been a while since my last post. With the unexpected death of my brother I needed some time to heal. We find forms and ways to do it in. For me I try to find it in art, a way of incorporating the hurt into a project of some sort. I knew as soon as I spent time with my sister in law, Cassie she inspired me. You can tell the love that she has for her family and my brother, Dan. So when she left I knew exactly what I was going to do and for whom…that’s right when she left…she came all the way over from Australia just like they had intended to do for my sister wedding. She will never know how much I love her for still coming…
Projects I say…these are them…one for Kate my niece…Sisters…the banner
Sisters being all women standing strong togetherness
Cassie is the lucky gal who gets two projects a mini album…all my lovelies and a banner with the word inspire just because she does…I love her…
I didn’t make something for the guys because I didn’t think that was their “thing” but if it is I’m sure they’ll let me know.

And lastly…I have a 2nd grader!!!! His morning photo on his first day…

Only great sadness for you...

sadder then sad is all i have and the memories of days long ago...i love you dan...rest in peace...my brother...



newspaper

Boys just wanna have fun...

well...and so do us girls...
This weekend was a no brainer 95+ in Brentwood 80 on San Francisco shore...what would you choose? So we packed up and got out of Dodge. You know me any excuse for a road trip...i think that was everyone else's thought too. i have never seen so many people out to beat the heat.

Big and little...the boys enjoyed themselves...what wasn't there not to enjoy...every make and model of dog was out there for Liam...sand, dirtyness and H2O for Darren and Hayden. John was just itching to save someone...look at his lifeguard stance as his watchful eye keeps Bruce in his sight. Bruce could have had a heart attack from the coldness of the water...i only went up to my toes and that was enough.

So as we do in camping we set up camp on the beach. Comfort i tell ya...still didn't stop John from wanting to go home within two hours. But that's him and of course the general consensus was to ignore him. The views were incredible...just a gorgeous day. So what was our rush??

On Sat. we took part in a flea mkt. fundraiser...before we even set up Diane and i were in the red to Steven who was selling vintage goodies. That only meant i had to sell things to get in the black. So these are some of the goodies we shared...

As i promised...pictures of my spring banner from weeks ago. Every time i look at it...it makes me smile :) :)
Now i have to work on a summer one...hmmmmm

Spring flings....

easter springtime fun at Casini Ranch on the Russian River. After all the calamities we look back and realize...yes, we did have fun...right Marian???10 stitches on the outside and 2 on the inside...no nerve or tendon damage...regardless of injury he always had a hot pot of coffee brewing in the cold morning. i thank you for spoiling me James!!!
Egg hunt madness revisited on Sat. Still no Bunny love for Liam...would you with an over 6 foot tall bunny??? I wasn't sure he was going to get down to hunt for eggs but he did eventually and the bunny stayed his distance from Liam.We made a quick trip into Guerneville...we were in need of Starbucks in the afternoon and a hunt for vintage goodies. The day we came in our favorite vintage lace spot was having a 1/2 off day...score!!! On our way back to the campground they had a donkey and miniature horse petting farm going on. The animals made a car full of ladies squeal with gleee...they were so darn cute...the baby donkeys were 1 week and 3 weeks old. Liam wanted one for his backyard. And the caretaker put Liam on one of the miniature horses.i was proud of him that he trusted her enough for that. Then we came back and all the kids colored eggs along with some adults....Cathy too!!!ahh yes we can't forget the aupair...she worked hard this weekend...twins were added to the mix for her but not identical...lucky for her!!! On Easter morning we had the hunt for the baskets...big cousin helped the little ones...Hayden's wingman Darren was not himself easter morning...it was sad because i knew how much he enjoys the holiday but after a puke/nap session he was good to go.Because it was so cold at night we had to make sure our wood supply didn't run out...i just love the way the trees frame John and Liam...


In the kids baskets were some kites that Diane and I picked up at the dollar store. Flying the kites in the late afternoon sun was just a great finish to Easter...They had so much fun flying them. i did forget to say that Granddaddy showed with Lizzy, Katie and Michael in the morning after they saw Bodega Bay five times. They were a little lost...He brought the Brunch and i cooked it up...nice time...we even had the hot cross buns...yum! Speaking of yum...us girls found a scrumptiious yummy bakery in Duncan Mills...so it was nice to have warm pastries with James great coffee in the morning....sooooo
after stitches, pink eye scare, coldness of the mornings, puke session...all in all it was still another camping adventure...

I have scrapped though...will post banner soon and pics from our other camping trip...can you beleive 3 trips already...

Spring is in the air...

flowers are popping out of the ground and awakening to the warm air. hayden has been out on break now for over a week. keeping him busy is no problem...camping that's all I have to say...
we went to one of our favorite campgrounds...better when there isn't crowds and you have to share the bathrooms. the kids had a great time on their bikes riding around and around...hitting the park...playing badminton...croquet...what else do little boys do????


we set up our camp and proceeded to move right on into play mode...


now on to our next adventure...Snug Harbor...we'll be back soon

I've got nothing for ya...

my son's first tooth became loose. Those of you who know Hayden he has these little teeth for this big ol' body and head. We noticed that a permanent tooth was coming in behind the baby teeth on the bottom row. On Monday I called the dentist to move up his apt. to an earlier date. Well he saw the dentist yesterday along with Liam. The dentist recommended that he pull two of the bottom along with filling two cavities. Luckily through the last days I prepped him enough to know what could play out. He was prepared and decided not to fret over his upcoming break about what could happen so he chose to have it done.

My big boy...Liam looked on so he knew what to expect if and when he went. Hayden wanted me to rub his leg and not hold his hand because somebody might see him holding his mommy's hand. He's just a rockstar in my eyes. A very well prepped boy. Later in the night he just asked for a little motrin to go to sleep with.

So do you like my tiger?? Can you catch him by the tail?? They were doing some face painting at the gym and this roared to see me along with some Batmans...but I don't have pics of them.

So isn't this just the sweetest...Liam with his Cinderella napping...he LOVES her to bits.
This is what dreams are made of...


My dreams are that I hope my husband finds a job soon or me which ever comes first. Am I scared...well it seems it's the American way these days. Something will come...but I guess my big announcement on my last post will not happen. I can't justify flying across the country for Scrapetc.2009. Some bummed but that's life...

Never would i have thought...

i would get picked, but i did!!! As usual i was doing my average night of surfing and ran across Scrap Etc. 2009. They were discussing that Margie Romney-Aslett was giving away a ticket to the event. A ticket to ALL the classes...yes a ticket oh my!! A single golden ticket...never did i think...well i was chosen
Now i have to figure out how to fly across country to Atlanta, GA, coordinate babysitters, hotel room and meals...oh my!!

So I've been hooked on ATC swaps on SIStv. Diane and i spent a couple of Saturdays ago making them it was fun and the boys behaved themselves so we got so much done. These ATC's are from the woodgrain swap and the next is from the Dr. Seuss swap. That one was a lot of fun with the colors.

So this past Saturday Diane and i hit the road to Picture Me Perfect to take a class with Miss Nikki Peterson. We did twelve...yes 12 layouts. Good time as always was to be had. Suzy was the hostess with the mostest...snorts and all!!! It was good meeting up with some SISters and of course seeing Marie and her cousin, Crystal. i was soooo excited to see the difference in Marie's weight loss. It had been a while since i have seen her sooo i definitely saw the difference. Way to go!!!

All of us SISters together for a group shot.

Ok already...

So i thought i was on that path...but keeping to it was a tough choice in my time and space. With everything going on i try and try. Did ya know i had a birthday??? Yes, i did...margaritas and tacos with my wingmen in tow.
Throughout eveything going...on the loss...we are standing strong. Unity and accountability that's all we have left with that we will come together again. So ya like these little goodies??? It was my Post Secret ATC Swap i did with SIStv. They were so funny to read. Have you been to Post Secret?

Back in Nov. i did my first 5k in San Francisco and this is my little book i made with my number and photos that i got off the website. Sure they are a little pixelated but you get the idea.

i saved my Starbucks cozy to use in the book with some bingo and beano cards. The book is now a great memory of my friends and our first 5k.





And this is my first challenge for the new year...It was from Inspired by Amelie. i just couldn't pass it up.

Am i back...probably not...i think this is depression. Never been diagnosed but i hope to get my mojo back soon.

so here we are...

i am trying...
to let things get back to normal...as normal as can be...
this is something that i worked on for holiday gifts and this i finished finally for myself
we always let our things fall to the side...ain't that the truth...

My first LO of 2009...using some Kenner Road love and I spelled trippin wrong...put a "p" in after the picture was taken...

and look at this little valentine love...jealous much...you should be...from my friend Diane...

so back to my word for the year...accountablity
yes Liam should be accountable...another load washed with his pullup....yuck...and my gym clothes load...
Accountability to my food log...another yuck...but i am doing it

Accountability….

One word…new year…
How do we achieve it? Do we withhold it?
Wife
Mother
Daughter
Sister
Friend
Do you honor it?
Lying only hurts you…
So with that one word i must go back in time
To be accountable


December flew by and I only made one post…difficult times for my family and i. You try to smile thru the tears of sadness. It’s the boys Christmas you have to. They had their gymnastic routines…fabulous


Then there was my Father’s annual tree trimming party. Good times to be surrounded by friends and family.
A shining light for us…the invitation to the “big table”… dinner at Ben and Judy’s. Oh how wonderful…my husband lit up at the thought of the invitation. The meal was fabulous as was the company for the Eve of Christmas.

With milk and cookies awaiting the arrival of the big man himself…my boys slowly slumbered off to sleep. Haydan as always was the first to awake had to wait for Liam to take his sweet time to wake up. He likes to sleep in. Unwraping the gifts were fast and furious. Yes, we had Cinderella, Night Vision goggles and Bakugans.


We had a visit to Yosemite for the snow. Only the wingmen! Girls and boys. We hung out at Joe’s house…no better place for the views. Snow ball fights abound. A picnic in his house. A good day trip!!


With a quiet New Years…Hayden and I took off for Disneyland to celebrate his birthday. How much fun we had. The rides…8 times on Thunder Mountain. The look on his face for Splash Mountain is the same look he had at four. No matter how tight i held him from behind was never enough.

So now we have the new year and it’s accountability time…no resolutions. hmmm how do i?